Life, deliver up to me All fate has decreed to be! Who am I that I should choose What to take and what refuse? Some things I have ordered madly Have been paid for rather sadly; These were passed by readiest hands (As are most things contraband.) Now they're settled -- in full paid Though their ghost is never laid. Life, deliver up to me All fate has decreed to be! I would feel the pith of things, Not be bound by silken strings. Teach me to bear and forbear With heart to do and will to dare, To accept heart's ease or rue As what is right and so my due. Though you are most recondite I, a starveling, know you're right! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...COME UP FROM THE FIELDS FATHER by WALT WHITMAN THE BELLS AT MIDNIGHT by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE VIVANDIERE ('70) by WILLIAM ROSE BENET DEDICATION OF THE DESIGNS TO BLAIR'S GRAVE: TO THE QUEEN by WILLIAM BLAKE CAPTIVE by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE THE BLACK FOX OF SALMON RIVER by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD SHE SAID ... by JONATHAN HENDERSON BROOKS THE KING'S GIFT by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE WANDERER: 1. IN ITALY: THE LAST MESSAGE by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON |